Introduce yourself; who are you and what types of books do you write?
Hi, I’m author Dani Ripley, and I’ve written everything from horror and science fiction to supernatural historical fiction and post-apocalyptic thrillers. I enjoy writing lots of different genres and often find myself blending them together to make some new and exciting (and sometimes really weird) combinations!
What are your books about?
The stories I write tend to center around experiences of life-changing events that spin the character’s (or characters’) perspectives in completely new directions. I also like exploring current events, but with a supernatural or metaphysical slant, like in my book, The Clearing, which I’m hoping to publish sometime in the fall of 2025. And if you’re reading one of my science fiction stories, you’ll find everything from thoughts on the multiverse to tiny galactic overlords coming to devour our planet (but in a funny way).
What was the inspiration behind writing your first book?
My parents were both avid readers and read to me all the time when I was growing up, which led to a voracious reading habit and what could have been a dangerously expensive addiction, had I not discovered the local library. Not long after that, I developed the desire to write stories myself, so when the opportunity came to submit one of them to my 2nd grade teacher, I did exactly that. When it was published via the school library’s copy machine and then distributed to the entire school, I was hooked. I’ve been writing ever since, but it took me until the tender age of 41 to complete my first full novel. I’m now working on number four!
What did you learn while writing your second book?
I learned how to better hold the narrative, and how to write a first draft more freely, without going back to edit lines here and there and everywhere before it was even half-way finished. I also learned to trust my instincts and listen to the characters, because they’re (almost) always right! So I let them take over, and they tell me what’s going on and what to write about it. To me the process feels akin to channeling: as long as I can release all judgement, everything else happens by itself, just like magic.
What is the most rewarding part of being an author?
I find almost every aspect of writing/authoring has its rewards: writing the story, watching everything unfold on the page for the first time and being surprised by the places it takes me; finishing that first draft; then going back to edit it and genuinely enjoying what I’ve written while making it even better. I also love when a manuscript is finally polished enough to show around to my closest friends and family and waiting breathlessly for their comments and suggestions. And I especially love when people (like, actual strangers!) read the finished product and discuss it. Often, they talk about things I never even thought of because they’ve brought their own perspectives and thoughts to the story, and now they’re changing everything by viewing it through their own lens. I find it all so fascinating and gratifying. Except for the sales/marketing parts. Those, I could do without, LOL!
What elements do you think make for a good story?
It all depends on the story. For horror (or my favorite, sci-fi/horror), there obviously needs to be something terrifying, but for me it also has to be smart. And fast-paced. Same for thrillers. For a supernatural historical fiction, the build-up can be slower and more lyrical; I like sumptuous, lush settings and lots of good descriptions of time and place. But most of all for me, character is paramount. If you have a magnetic character, they can be doing just about anything and they’ll still be interesting on the page. Therefore, much like as in life, character is everything.
What is the hardest part of being an author for you?
Finding adequate time to write or edit! And the sales and marketing. Yuck. Everything else is gravy.
What is your current writing project?
I am currently about halfway through an historical fiction novel with supernatural overtones called The Goode Girls—it’s about a family of American witches from the 1800s through present, with a focus on the 70s-80s. I’m really enjoying it so far and hoping to finish the first draft in 2025. When my Goode Girls manuscript is finished, I intend to do a final editing polish on my third novel, The Clearing, and then send it off to a professional editor before self-publishing it. I’m aiming for fall of 2025. I’m also considering putting together a small collection/chapbook of my horror short stories for possible publication in 2025 or 2026. I have dozens and dozens just sitting around collecting dust, and some of them are pretty dang good!
What is the best writing advice you’ve ever received?
I cannot stress this advice enough: just write. Just. Write. Seriously, just sit down and do it. When I’m feeling resistant to the idea, I tell myself I’ll just write ONE sentence, and then I can close the laptop. Most of the time, I end up writing a lot more than that. But sometimes it really is only the one sentence, and that’s ok. At least it’s moving forward. I remember complaining to my mother once long ago about not having enough time/motivation to write, and she told me: “well, a year from now, the time will have passed anyway, and either you’ll have a novel, or you won’t—it’s completely up to you.” And that, my friends, is the best writing advice I’ve ever received. Thanks, Mom!
10. Where can readers discover more about you and your books?
Readers can follow me on Instagram @daniripleywrites, on Bluesky @daniripleywrites.bsky.social, or find me on my author website: https://daniripley.com/
I can also be found on:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/27332690.Dani_Ripley
Indie Story Geek: https://indiestorygeek.com/user/DaniRipley
Two of my books are available on Amazon now:
Strange Worlds: https://www.amazon.com/Strange-Worlds-Dani-Ripley-ebook/dp/B0DJCJ3YRM
North Woods: https://www.amazon.com/North-Woods-Dani-Ripley-ebook/dp/B0BT8KH1WV